How to Build a Double-Breeder Canary Cage

There is often a high mark-up on birdcages, and building your own can safe money as well as give you a sense of satisfaction that buying one can't.

Things You'll Need

  • 8' Foot x 4' Foot x 1/2" sheet of plywood
  • 4'foot x 4'foot x 1/4" half sheet of plywood
  • Two 24" x 15" cage fronts
  • 1.5 inch nails
  • Four brass picture clips
  • One tube of Gripfill
  • One length of plastic channel
  • 1/2" x 1/2" x 48" soft wood
  • Hammer
  • Nails
  • Saw
  • Drill
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Instructions

    • 1

      Create the back panel.
      On the 8' x 4' sheet of plywood mark out 48inches x 18.5 inches. Use a saw to cut this out.

    • 2

      Create the top and bottom panels from the plywood.
      These should be 47 inches by 15 inches.

    • 3

      Create the side panels from the plywood.
      Mark and cut out 15" x 18.5".

    • 4

      Create the support strip.
      Out of your 8' x 4' sheet of plywood mark out and cut a strip (47" x 1"). This will be used to support the bottom part of the cage fronts.

    • 5

      Position the the two cage fronts loosely in position on the sides of the cage frame. You should have a half inch gap between the cage fronts. This is where the sliding divider part will go.

      You should also have a gap between the bottom of the cage fronts and the bottom of the cage frame. The 47"x1" support strip that you just made should be positioned flush with the bottom of the cage fronts. Nail this strip in position and then bond with Gripfill.

    • 6

      Create the center support and secure the channeling for the center divider.

      The top of this support needs to be flush with the top edge of the strip of (47" x 1") you have just installed.

      Measure from base of the cage to the top edge of the strip and cut a piece of plywood 15" x your measurement. Be sure to notch it at 1/2 inch by 1 inch to accommodate for the support strip.

      Secure the channeling in the middle of the cage frame. Make sure that the top is directly over the bottom or the divider will be crooked!

    • 7

      Create the partition. Commercial birdcages use cage panels, and some DIY cage plans call for plywood or metal.

      If you cannot find an additional 15x15 cage front and still want the divider so that your birds can see eachother, cut a panel of zinc mesh this size. It is important to remove the sharp metal corners and to scrub the zinc off!

    • 8

      Prepare the frame for the cage fronts:
      On the roof of the cage frame, glue 1/2x1/2 blocks of wood so that the cage panels don't fall in.
      Screw the picture clips onto the top of the cage and the 47x1 inch strip which is across the bottom.

      Make sure that they are screwed tight enough that your birds normal movements won't make the cage fronts fall off!

    • 9

      Make the removable bottom/poop trays.

      These should slide in at the bottom, under the support strip.

      As with the divider, many DIY instructions call for wooden trays, but commercially made finch breeder cages use metal or plastic. If you can find a 15x24 cookie sheet for each side, this is ideal.

      Make sure that the gap between the tray and support strip is not more than 1/2 inch!